Vodafone Group Plc is finalizing a
deal to sell its 44 percent stake in French mobile operator SFR
for 7 billion pounds ($11 billion) after talks with the owner of
the remaining shares, Vivendi SA, the Observer said, without
saying where it got the information.

The move will make way for a 5 billion-pound buyback of
Vodafone’s own shares next year, the newspaper said. Vodafone is
also close to announcing an 800 million-pound sale of its 24
percent holding in Polish phone company Polkomtel SA, the
Observer said.

Vodafone spokesman Bobby Leach declined to comment when
contacted by telephone today. Antoine Lefort, a spokesman in
Paris for Vivendi, also declined to comment.